The Portland daily press., 1887-06-18
INTELLIGENT ELEPHANTS.
A story Of Remarkable scenes In tho
Island OF ceyIon.
marion Downing in Boston Courier.l

Marion Downing In Boston CourierJ
Several years ago the writer. then master
of an American ship, was chartered in Bonn
bay to proceed to a small port in Ceylon, sit
uated a few leagues TO the n0rthward OF
Point de Gale. to load heavy teak wood lum-
bee for the Clyde, and 1t was here that he
saw displayed the most striking intelligence
of the elephant. In Ceylon no railroads
stretch from the wooded districts Of the in
terror TO the sea coast, and the timber cut ON
the mountains has to be dragged YEARLY over
the miles of rough country intervening be-
tween the place of its growth and the sea.
From the time the tree is felled and diyest-
ed Of its limbs until 1t is formed into RATS
along the shore all the mechanical labor Is
performed by the elephant drove OF these
animals, varying in number from five to ten
are conducted into the woods by two or three
natives and set to work. They know what
is required Of them, and at once pair of gen.
orally working in couples) to begin their
days labor. Selling huge log with their
trunks they roll 1t upon their tusks, and.
holding it firmly in place by cOiling their
trunk about it, they lift it bodily from the
ground and place it upon the rollers which
are to aid in its transportation to the beach.
In cases where the clearing will not admit Of
their walking abreast with their burden,
they will sidle along, carefully avoiding all
trees and stumps, until they place the log on
its bed as squarely as could the most skillful
engineer; then returning at a leisurely galE,
they pick up another log. and transport that
in the same methOdical manner, until the
land raft has assumed the required proper
tions.
When the ground tier has been completed
81. 20 hnfId nj the fnponnt-
ty of the animal Is most wonderfully dis
PLAYED in lifting and depOsiting the heavy
timbers in their place. One Will lay his end
down and, passing over to his companion,
they VIII together carry that emu as lar se 1
the foundation as they eau reach and drop
it. Then both will return to the frst end,
handling that in like manner, until BY sue
cessively treating each end they work the
log into place. The several squads pass and
repass one another without jostling or IN any
way interfering with the work; and all this
Is done without a word from the drivers,
who spend most Of their time peacefully
sleeping beneath the grateful shade OF some
neighboring palm. When the pile Is com
pleted the overseers lash it together with
heavy chains and place rough harness, con-
sisting Of breastband and traces, upon the
larger animals Of the drove, and attach them
TO the structure, preparatory to dragging u
TO the shore. This part Of the business the
elephants seem strongly to resent, Tor the
moment the harnesses are produced the
bulls set up a dreadful trumpeting, flourish
their trunks in the air, and assume most
ferOciOus mien, but few prods from the
goad soon reduce them to subsection, and
they start for the beach without further de-
lay. The smaller animals pick up the roll
ers that are left behind, carry them ahead
and lay them in place, the work being con-
Quoted on the same principle upon which
buildings are moved in our own country. On
reaching the waters edge the elephant dis
plays signs Of the. greatest pleasure, being
invariably allowed an opportunity to take
bath, which Is heartily enjoyed by them.
This completes one days work. The next
morning sees them placing the timber In the
water and building floating raft, which lat
er Is towed of by the ships crew awaiting
the cargo. On the voyage In question the
writer on going ashore one morning CHANGED
to have several ship biscuit in his pocket.
and noticing one old elephant more sedate
and wise looking than his companions, prof
fered him cracker, which was eagerly &C
cepted by the huge beast. After the supply
was exhausted he wound his trunk round
into all the pockets of the coat and not ind
ing any more he set up most dismal trump.
citing and turned again to his work. Amused
by his actions, when this same squad re-
| turned, which would be every other morn
| ing, this old patriarch was met by the writer
| with another lunch of biscuit, which was
| continued until the sly fellow came to look
| for it as a regular thing, and as soon as the
| boat left the ships side would leave his
partner in the lureh, despite the efforts OF
| the drivers to present him. make break
for the water, meeting us some distance from
/ shore. But, alas for the evils of a confirmed
| habit. One morning the biscuit was forgot
/ ten, and the reception which awaited US
Il would cause one more courageous than
i Yankee skipper and his crew to quake with
/ fear. The old chap went fairly wild.
| Though carefully avoiding doing Us any
| harm he beloved loudly, stamped his feet
/ with anger and tore around in most fran
tic manner, throwing sticks, stones and
| whatever came in his way, high into the air,
| For long time he refused to go TO work,
| and when finally driven to his task, went In
/ the most sullen manner, his TIT OF sulks last
| ing through the entire day.
In CeylOn the elephant is not only used rs
/ beast Of burden, but as domestic servant,
| and not infrequently acts the part Of nurse.
1 The fond mother will cOnsign her tiny babe
/ to the care of this gigantic beast without n
i fear, while performing her household duties,
i and her most gentle caresses and careful at
/ tentiOns are scarcely surpassed by those be-
/ slowed upon her child By this novel atten-
i dant. III the infant cries 1t Is carefully lift
| ed by the huge trunk and gently swayed
/ back and forth until 1t drops into quiet
/ sleep. Then ii is laid upon the ground, and
/ the elephant fans Ii with his trunk, keeping
i away the flies and other insects which gath
/ er In swarms, all the while blowing euOl
| breath upon the little sleeper; and woe be tn
| the wild beast Of the jungle which seeks To
/ do harm to his charge, for his days would be
full Of trouble. These are but a few OF the
numerous requirements OF the elepeant, but
with these, how can the natives OF India,
even II rude and ignorant, refrain from hold ].
ing in reverence the mammoth De9st OF their
country?